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Speed, Freedom, and More: HTML5 and Gaming

As we’ve noted before, industry observers continue to tout the rise in HTML5 popularity and predict that it will continue to gain traction.

HTML5 game developers are fueling the HTML5 momentum by tackling what used to be a major complaint about HTML5 gaming: speed. Today, you don’t have to search far to find advice on how to speed up your games and to read success stories from those who are conquering the issue and making great games with HTML5.

As an example, a few months ago, Ludei announced that its CocoonJS tech will be used in Nickelodeon games to speed up performance on Android mobile devices.

Focus on the Benefits

What’s the best way to take advantage of HTML5 as a gaming platform? In a post on Gamasutra, Austin Hallock suggested that, “Rather than trying to emulate native mobile games with HTML5, we as developers need to develop games specifically for HTML5—taking advantage of the unique offering it brings.” As examples from other platforms, he highlighted success stories like FarmVille, which takes advantage of Facebook’s social features, and Angry Birds, which takes advantage of touch.

What are the strengths of HTML5 that developers can take advantage of for gaming? He lists five: hyperlinks, multi-device use, games everywhere, SEO, and freedom from app stores and Google Play.

Freedom with HTML5

Perhaps the best thing about HTML5 gaming is the freedom to play anywhere.

Mobile use is skyrocketing—and for consumers, improved mobile access makes HTML5 games appealing, because you can play anywhere. You just need an internet connection and a browser.

The freedom extends to multiple platforms, too: You don’t have to have the same device or platform as your friends in order to enjoy multiplayer games.

For HTML5 developers, this freedom means more customers, of course.

As China Goes…

With the world’s largest population and one of the largest economies, China is worth watching for trends.

A recent article in NextWeb-Asia highlights the incredible growth of gaming in China. According to the author, Lei Zhang of Chukong Technologies, the Chinese government estimates that the mobile gaming economy generated almost $2 billion in 2013.

Chukong expects four areas to define the Chinese mobile gaming space in 2014. You guessed it: One of those is the emergence of HTML5 as a powerful platform.

“The platform will claim a significant portion of mobile developer attention, particularly with the focus of game design on analytics and optimization,” the article says.